Four Keys to Latino Academic Success

Small changes, big effects

Extensive research on Latino academic success has revealed four key concepts that impact education for Latino children and families. The concepts of Comunidad, Familia, Educación, and Confianza profoundly affect the ways Latinos view schooling. These four concepts interact with school practices to foster success or failure for Latino students and their schools.

Definitions of the Four Keys to Latino Academic Success

Comunidad represents the historical and social aspects of Latino experience in the U.S., and how these experiences influence scholastic behavior. When the rich diversity among Latinos is understood by educators, a more effective school environment can be developed. Familia denotes the strong interdependence among extended family in traditional Latino family life. By understanding the strengths of Latino family values, schools can activate crucial student support networks to improve educational outcomes. Educación concerns the social and moral foundations for academic learning. Many Latino parents feel good behavior is the basis for education. Schools that capitalize on this concept create superior learning environments for Latino and other students. Confianza basically means trusting the school to do what is right for students. This trust is based on mutual feelings of respect among students, parents, and school personnel, and can be a powerful force for educational success. If such trust is broken, however, apathy and resistance may result.

School practices interact with the four key concepts in a variety of ways. Some schools in the United States, such as those with large ratios of Latino teachers and administrators, instinctively produce a climate in which Latino and other minority students flourish. When the four key concepts are clearly articulated and understood in such schools, results are even better (Reyes, Scribner, and Paredes Scribner, 1999). Most schools however miss important components of learning and motivation for Latino students, thus leading to student apathy, and often failure. Research on effective schools has identified certain school practices that affect Latino students and others. These are briefly described below:

Curriculum refers to the topics that are taught in school as well as the organization of these topics. Curricular alignment and culturally relevant materials play important roles in improving Latino students’ educational achievement.

Instruction concerns teaching methods that research has proven effective with Latino students. Often schools can make simple adjustments in teaching strategies to increase Latino student learning.

Intervention includes such practices as tutoring and various programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in improving grades and retention, as well as the identification of gifted Latino children.

College knowledge spans the practical aspects of college application and financial aid, as well as the benefits of higher education. One of the chief obstacles to Latino student college admission is a simple lack of critical information. Schools need proactive measures to encourage college preparation and attendance.

Research base for the “Four Keys to Latino Academic Success”